Genres

1. Genres What are they?

2. Genre • Genre is a French word which means “type or kind” • We use genres as a classification system to help us talk about the different kinds of literature and texts that we might read. • There are many different genres available in our media center.

3. Traditional Literature - Fiction • Stories that are passed down orally through many generations that usually doesn’t have a single author • Very simple plots that are in a vague time….”long ago” • A struggle between good and evil • A great way to learn about other cultures • Many different kinds • Cumulative tales -a building story that adds from beginning to end • Pourquoi tales -explains something in nature and why it happens • Beast tales -stories have animals that have human characteristics as the characters • Trickster tales -a clever character who outsmarts others • Fairytales -magical characters and objects • Tall tales -characters with exaggerated accomplishments • Fables -short stories have animals with human characteristics and they always teach a moral or lesson in life • Myths -answers questions about things people can’t explain and credits it to a heroic character • Legends -characters that are heroes and based on real people, but exaggerated

4. Many different titles all in the 398’s

5. Fantasy - Fiction • Stories have unrealistic and “out of this world” elements • Writers make it seem possible to make you question if it is true • The characters are real, but what happens to them and where they are isn’t

6. The Titan’s Curse by Rick Riordan • The disappearance of the goddess Artemis while out hunting a rare, ancient monster, prompts a group of her followers to join Percy and his friends in an attempt to find and rescue her before the winter solstice, when her influence is needed to sway the Olympian Council regarding the war with the Titans.

7. Mystery - Fiction • Very realistic, with characters who are trying to solve a puzzle or problem • The writer drops hints throughout the book to help the reader stay involved • Parts are added to the story to distract readers and lead them away from the real solution…they keep you guessing!

8. The Wright 3 by Blue Balliett • Petra and Calder are drawn into another mystery when unexplained accidents and ghostly happenings occur in Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House.

9. Science Fiction • Very similar to Fantasy, unrealistic and unworldly, but the difference is that the story is based on science • Uses new technology and is cutting edge

10. Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson • The time has come for Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman, and Angel to face their ultimate enemy and, despite many obstacles, try to save the world from a sinister plan to re-engineer a select population into a scientifically superior master race.

11. Realistic Fiction • Stories told from the writer’s imagination that seem true, real life • Usually includes typical problems that many people deal with • Takes place in modern times, a place the reader can recognize

12. Hoot by Carl Hiaasen • Roy, who is new to his small Florida community, becomes involved in another boy's attempt to save a colony of burrowing owls from a proposed construction site.

13. Historical Fiction • Stories from the writer’s imagination and true to life, BUT story is set in the past. • Discusses important events in history • Some characters can be real while others are fictional

14. Blue by Joyce Hostetter • Ann Fay Honeycutt becomes the man of the house at age thirteen after her father leaves to fight in World War II, forcing Ann to give up her childhood and tend to her family, but when a polio epidemic strikes, Ann faces the most devastating challenge of her life.

15. Informational – Non-fiction • Text that provides ideas, facts, principles that relate to our physical, biological or social world

16. Poetry – Non-fiction • Uses words and pictures to create an image • Plays with the sounds of words and the rhythms of phrases • Intended to be read aloud • Short, sweet and to the point

17. Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes • While studying the Harlem Renaissance, students at a Bronx high school read aloud poems they've written, revealing their innermost thoughts and fears to their formerly clueless classmates.

18. Biography – Non-fiction • An account of a real person’s life told by another person, the information is gathered by interviewing or researching • Includes how the person affects other people

19. Daniel Boone and the Cumberland Gap by Andrew Santella • A biography of Daniel Boone, focusing on his efforts as a pioneer and trailblazer during America's westward expansion.

20. Autobiography – Non-fiction • An account of a person’s life told by that person. • First hand knowledge • Tells major influences in their life, people and places….

21. 26 Fairmount Avenue by Tomie DePaola • Children's author-illustrator Tomie De Paola describes his experiences at home and in school when he was a boy.

22. Memoir – Non-fiction • A person’s account of a personal or historical event in their life • Centers on strong feelings and emotions

23. Red Scarf Girl by Ji li Jiang • The author tells about the happy life she led in China up until she was twelve-years-old when her family became a target of the Cultural Revolution, and discusses the choice she had to make between denouncing her father and breaking with her family, or refusing to speak against him and losing her future in the Communist Party.

24. Genres • So where to I find them????

25. Many of these genres can be found by using Destiny and typing in the name of the genre. • Always read the book description to make sure it matches…. • Use the genre bookmarks to prove your genre to Mrs. Hofman and happy reading!